Bengal x Bangle

Holiday party season is naturally one of my favorite times of the year. After all, it gives us even more reason to dress up...and dress up often!  

Although it's easy to stick to wearing either a little black dress or traditional holiday colors like red or green, I like mixing it up from time to time with unconventional colors and prints.  I can't get enough of this tiger print dress from Chicnova, which I foresee getting a lot of wear in both winter and summer.  To keep the attention on the bold print, I've kept my jewelry simple with a single gold pyramid bangle.

*****

What I'm Wearing / Where to Shop:

Pleat Silk Print Dress (c/o - thanks to Chicnova!) 

H&M Gold Pyramid Bangle
H&M Platform Heels

F21 Envelope Clutch (another great pick here)

Michael Kors Sunglasses

*****

Are you also a fan of tiger prints?

Love, S

Florals at Work

What I'm Wearing / Where to Shop:

J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Heather Caramel (here + 6% cashback)

J. Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Antique White (here +  6% cashback)

F21 Dress - worn as a top (also loving this floral blouse)

Horseshoe Necklace from TopShop London (similar)

Butterfly Necklace by Warehouse from Harrod's London (similar)

Floral Heels with Pearls from Taiwan (similar)

Kate Spade Primrose Purse (here)

Michael Kors 'Karolina' Sunglasses (here)

 Love, S

*****

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Why Every Busy Girl Needs an Emergency Dress (and How to Choose Yours)

I’m a big believer in this one fact –

Every girl needs an Emergency Dress. 

You know, that dress you keep in your bag / office desk drawer / glove compartment of your car.  The one that you pull out and do a quick-change into when an unexpected occasion arises while you're out and about.  After all, you never know when you need to dress up.

A readily accessible Emergency Dress has saved the day for me on numerous occasions.

Here are the primary  4 scenarios when the use of an Emergency Dress is in order:

• From Office -> Happy Hour or Dinner Date
  
  Imagine you're at your desk at work.  It's around 6 pm and you suddenly receive a last minute invitation to after-work drinks or dinner.  Unfortunately, there's no time to run home and change into a dress, and you don't feel like showing up to a social event in office attire.
  
  Enter the Emergency Dress that you fortunately keep in your desk drawer at work...and you're no longer stuck being the girl wearing a suit or dress shirt to a social event (or worse - having to turn down an invitation because you aren't properly dressed for a certain venue). In my opinion, this is by far the most common use case for an Emergency Dress.  I can't even begin to count the times I've gone straight from work to drinks or a nice dinner on short notice...during which an Emergency Dress (kept inside my office desk) has saved the day for me on numerous occasions.     
  
  
• From Airport -> Party
  
  You're currently on a plane, and you're about to go straight from the airport to a party you can't miss (let's say a friend's birthday), immediately upon landing at your destination. The problem is that you don't want to wear a cocktail dress on the plane (who wants to brave a 5-10 hour flight in stiff tulle or lace?), yet you don't want to show up at a fancy event looking and feeling frumpy in your travel clothes.  My typical strategy for scenarios like this is to keep a wrinkle-free Emergency Dress in my carry-on bag and then do a quick-change in the plane's lavatory shortly before landing.
  
  
• From Daytime Event -> Nighttime Event
  
  Let's say your Saturday plans consist of a going to a BBQ / tailgate party, followed by an evening event that requires dressing up (for instance, a fancy dinner or a night at the ballet) and with no time and place to change in between.   In situations like these, I sometimes resort to changing into my Emergency Dress in the backseat of my car while parked in a secluded area, no joke.  Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
  
  
• For Emergency Wardrobe Malfunctions
  
  There's nothing worse than having a wardrobe malfunction occur in a very public setting (whether it's having red wine spilled on your white dress at a party or discovering a rip in your seam).  It never hurts to have an Emergency Dress somewhere easily accessible (ex: in your car, parked outside) in cases where you desperately need something to change into.
  
  

   

Ok, so we've just gone over when and why you need an Emergency Dress.  Let's quickly recap where you should keep yours: 

• In your desk drawer at work
• In the glove compartment or trunk of your car
• In your travel bag
• In your purse

You can see in the photo above that my Emergency Dress (when folded) is compact enough to fit inside my purse.  This brings me to my next topic, which is...

What to look for in an Emergency Dress: 

An Emergency Dress should be:

• Wrinkle-Resistant
  
  This is absolutely key.  It's going to get stuffed into a bag or tossed into a drawer and needs to be made from fabric that doesn't wrinkle easily.  When looking for an Emergency Dress, avoid 100% cotton or linen and stick with man-made or blended fabrics.  Also be sure to avoid sequins, as they'll fall off after being shoved in various place.  When in doubt, you can always do what I call the "Scrunch Test" - simply take a fistful of fabric and scrunch by clenching your fist.  If the fabric smooths out afterwards with minimal wrinkles, then it may qualify for your Emergency Dress.
  
  
• Compact
  
  It needs to fit in your purse, desk drawer, or glove compartment when folded.  If you can't carry it around easily, then you won't be able to access it during emergencies.
  
  
• Basic
  
  Pick a dress in preferably a solid color or one that doesn't jump out at being particularly unique.  This allows for more flexibility, and you can change up the look with different shoes, bags, and accessories.  It should also fit in equally at a nice dinner with your boyfriend's parents and be passable at a lounge with friends, so don't pick anything too extravagant or revealing for maximum versatility.  You don’t want to be remembered as the girl that's always wearing the same dress, so be sure that your Emergency Dress is a versatile basic.   

[Above: Here I am after a quick-change into my Emergency Dress. No more having to show up at after-work events in my office clothes!]

Looking for your own Emergency Dress?  Some of my picks here:

Alice + Olivia Nell Leather Waist A-Line Dress

The Crisscross Dress

Diane von Furstenberg Terrazzo Wrap Dress

Bop basics Tracy Open Back Mini Dress

JARLO Lucie Party Dress

Kimchi Blue Soft Woven Peplum Dress

Alice + Olivia Hilly Peplum Dress

Alice + olivia Fierra Y Back Dress

Dolce vita Aven Dress

*****

Do you have an Emergency Dress?  What do you do when you're out and about and need to dress up unexpectedly?

A Bit Metallic

ASOS Collar Necklace (identical version here)

MNG by Mango Top

Gina Tricot Jacket (from Germany)

CR Bronze Leather Skirt (similar version from Piperlime here +10% cashback!)

Forever 21 Bracelet and Clutch

H&M Heels

Michael Kors 'Karolina' Sunglasses (+10% cashback)

Love, S

Printed Bows and Quilted Leather

J. Crew Classic Mini in Felted Wool (here)

F21 Bow Print Top 

Banana Republic Quilted Faux Leather Cross Body Purse in Electric Blue

H&M Pyramid Bangle (similar)

F21 Bow Bracelet (similar by Marc Jacobs)

Pearl Bracelets - old (similar)

Michael Kors 'Karolina' Sunglasses (here)

Gray Ankle Boots - old (another great pick by Stuart Weitzman here) 

Love, S

Candy Colored Prep

Some of you might remember this skirt from a previous outfit I had posted... I've remixed it here with layered, preppy pieces and bright candy colors.  Surprisingly, this yellow skirt has become one of my most versatile pieces. Believe it or not, yellow really can go with everything. You'll most likely be seeing more of this skirt in the future!  

As you may already know, I have an immense love for bows, so I'm sporting a total of four. Can you spot them all? ;)

Hope you're all having a great week thus far! 

*****

What I'm Wearing / Where to Shop:

J. Crew Gingham Blouse (several colors here)

H&M Jacket

H&M Cable Knit Sweater

ASOS Skirt (similar from Alice + Olivia)

Banana Republic Bracelet (similar here)

Forever 21 Bow Ring (mini version here)

Kate Spade Purse (now over 50% here)

Striped Bow Heels from Taiwan

Michael Kors 'Karolina' Sunglasses (buy it here)

Shopping Tip: Use Ebates for up to 15% Cashback (works with pretty much all of the above)!  You can sign up here if you don't already have an account.

*****

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Love, S

Blazer, Tweed, and Chiffon Blouse

Last night, I wore this outfit during a casual dinner and library date with my boyfriend, J.  What's special to me about this outfit is where everything came from.  I acquired various pieces of this outfit during several different trips - this pleated, boucle Topshop skirt from my recent trip to London, the ring and chiffon blouse with studded collar from a business trip to Germany, and my shoes from a trip to Taiwan with Mom a few years back.  I also got my beloved Michael Kors 'Karolina' sunglasses during a trip to New York last year.  Wearing this globally acquired outfit makes me happy because it brings back wonderful memories from each trip!

I've layered a black blazer with white trim over the chiffon blouse and added a braided silver bib necklace to further play up the stud details on the collar.  I can never resist adding a pop of color, so I'm also carrying my teal envelope clutch.

*****

What I'm Wearing / Where to Shop:

Topshop Skirt from London

Chiffon Blouse by Only from Germany (similar here)

H&M Blazer (similar here)

BCBGeneration Clutch (another gorgeous pick by Tory burch)

Forever 21 Bib Necklace (another great option) 

Gina Tricot Ring from Germany

Fashion & Vogue Pumps from Taiwan (another white pump I'm craving with a cap toe)

Michael Kors 'Karolina' Sunglasses

*****

Like this post? Please follow my site via the subscription links on the right hand side of this page, and feel free to drop me a line. I love hearing from you! :)  

Love, S

Leopard, Stripes, and Leather: Mixing It Up

One thing I can't get enough of lately is mixing prints.  Since two of my favorite prints include leopard print and stripes, I'm loving this leopard print statement necklace from Oasap when paired with a striped tank, as seen in this casual outfit I wore this past weekend (or casual to me, at least!) 

Prints aren't the only thing I'm mixing in this outfit, as I've also thrown together a variety of styles - laid back casuals with bold jewelry (such as this black onyx ring)...a faux leather moto jacket with a girly skirt...and preppy pieces in the form of these pumps and the J. Crew 'Edie' Purse).  With all these different prints and styles, does this outfit match?  Maybe, maybe not... but, in my opinion, as long as you're having fun and rock whatever you're wearing with confidence, there really aren't any fashion rules that can't be broken.  After all, the point of dressing up is to have fun, right? ;)

What are your favorite fashion rules to break?  

*****

What I'm Wearing:

Leopard Necklace by Oasap (c/o)

Statement Ring by Oasap (c/o)

H&M Striped Top (similar)

Faux Leather Jacket by Better B.

Skirt by Have & Have

J. Crew 'Edie' Purse

Nine West 'Jeneil' Pumps in Red

*****

Love, S

Little Red Dress: 'Fiery Gates'

Every girl needs a little red dress. I may have just found a new favorite! 

*****

'Fiery Gates' Dress by Sugarlips (c/o)

H&M Ankle Boots

Aldo 'Ricarde' Necklace

Forever 21 Bracelet

and Envelope Clutch (more picks: here, here, and here)

ProMod Wrap Watch (similar here and here)

Michael Kors Sunglasses 

*****

I'd like to thank Sugarlips for sending me this gorgeous red dress.  I love the way it's so demure and ladylike from the front yet surprises with killer cutouts in the back. It's definitely guaranteed to make an impression even when leaving a party.

I also love that Sugarlips describes the Sugar girl as "the girlie girl with just a hint of edge," as this is one of the ways I'd like to describe my personal style.  

I've paired the 'Fiery Gates' dress with black ankle boots, an oversized envelope clutch, my favorite black, studded wrap watch, and black & gold accessories. Since the front of the dress is simple and classic, I chose to pair it with edgier accessories (like this necklace and this bracelet) for contrast.  In my opinion, one of the easiest ways to put together a modern outfit is to pair together unexpected opposites.  You also can't ever go wrong with an oversized envelope clutch - I'm also loving these other styles here, here, and here. 

Thanks so much again to the Sugarlips team! You can shop Sugarlips' latest fashion forward styles on their website here, and you can also find their line in several major department stores, including Macy's, Nordstrom, and Dillard's.  

I'm looking forward to Date Night... I can't wait to have another excuse to wear this dress.   

Do you have a favorite go-to red dress?

*****

Love, S

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Sequined Heart and Tulle: My Inner Ballerina

I'm channeling my inner 5-year-old ballerina today with this sequined heart top and layered mesh skirt.  As a former dancer who spent over 15 years of her life performing as a member of various ballet, hip hop, jazz, and contemporary dance teams, I love how the black tulle reminds me of a grown-up version of a tutu. I've since retired from performing (at least, for now - a sad byproduct of the demands of corporate life), but my inner ballerina still comes out from time to time in my sartorial choices!  

To keep the look from being too 'little girl,' I've toughened up the outfit with some edgier accessories - a black crown necklace I bought at a night market in Taiwan, black ankle boots, studded bag and wrap watch, and a geometric, black bracelet. Ankle boots are always an easy way to add some edge to any outfit. ...In general, I love pairing them with unexpectedly girly pieces.

Top by 'the clas-sic' (another sequined version by Wildfox Couture)

Love Culture Mesh Skirt (another tulle skirt from Theory)

H&M Ankle Boots 

Kathy von Zeeland Studded Bag (also loving the Valentino 'rockstud' bags)

Forever 21 Bracelet

ProMod Wrap Watch  (similar here and here)

Michael Kors Sunglasses

*****

I'm back from my London trip and back to blogging. What a wonderful city London is!  One thing I fell in love with while in London is British fashion.  I found fashion inspiration everywhere...from chic high street stores at Oxford Circus to stylishly dressed Londoners in the Underground (or "Tube" as they call it).   I also love how there's so much culture and history everywhere you turn.  The week I spent there felt incredibly short, and I can't wait to go back again.  You'll definitely be seeing some British-inspired looks on this blog in the future. 

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Love, S